— Photo: AP

SECURITY TO THE FORE: U.S. Secretary of Defence Robert M. Gates with Defence Minister A.K. Antony in Singapore on Saturday.

SINGAPORE: India and China on Saturday reiterated that their current status as rising powers, independent of each other, would help in stabilising the global political order.

At a plenary session of the sixth Asia Security Conference, organised here by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), India and China allayed the fears about their autonomous policies of possessing nuclear weapons.

U.S. optimism

The United States, which initiated the deliberations, sounded a note of "optimism" on its ties with China at this stage. U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates hailed the expanding U.S.-India relationship.

Defence Minister A. K. Antony said: "Our [India's] rise has given no cause for any apprehension with regard to regional or international stability. On the contrary, this is seen as contributing to the development of a more stable world order."

Lt. Gen. Zhang Qinsheng, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, said:

"China will strive for developing a peaceful international environment that will contribute to world peace. The Chinese model is meant to ensure that its development is peaceful, open, cooperative, and harmonious."

Beijing's policy of peaceful rise "is a rational choice with roots in the scientific outlook on governance."

Presenting India's perspective on the theme of "building international stability," Mr. Antony said: "our nuclear policy or any other military policy is not [directed] against any country. And, whatever happened in the past, our relationship with China is improving considerably. We will try to settle all our issues [with China] through negotiations. For that, as a first step, we have started a lot of confidence-building measures."

Lt. Gen. Zhang, leading the Chinese delegation, said Beijing's "nuclear policy is about self-defence." Outlining Beijing's nuclear security doctrine, he said: "China will never be the first one to use nuclear weapons. And, China, unconditionally, will never use nuclear weapons or threaten to use nuclear weapons against nuclear-weapons-free zones of country.

"China encourages the total elimination of nuclear weapons. And, China's development of nuclear weapons is limited to deterrent purpose. China ensures that the safety and reliability of nuclear weapons is under strict control. There will not be an accident or unauthorised use."

"Breakthrough"

Answering questions on the U.S.-India moves for civil nuclear energy cooperation, Mr. Antony said the "breakthrough" achieved on this front was an aspect of the "remarkably improving" bilateral relationship.

Asked about the China factor in New Delhi's nuclear security policy, he said: "even before this civil nuclear energy agreement [with the U.S.] India had publicly declared a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing.

"With regard to reprocessing [as an aspect of the civil nuclear cooperation with the U.S.], our negotiations are in a crucial stage. I am sure we will be able to reach an amicable solution. Also, this agreement will help us find a long-term solution to our long-standing energy security issue."

Praising India as "the world's largest democracy and a developing global leader," Mr. Gates said: "it is entirely appropriate for the militaries and navies from democratic countries to exercise together, to develop common capabilities."

A new dynamic

In the keynote speech at the inaugural dinner on Friday, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hailed India's emerging "partnership with the United States" as a "new dynamic" in global politics. It was satisfying at the same time that New Delhi "does not see" this as "a means to counter-balance China."

All countries in Asia "are relieved, as none wants to see two nuclear powers and the two most populous countries in the world at odds with each other."

Referring to the nuclear talks between New Delhi and Washington, he said it was an aspect of the "new dynamic" in global affairs. Their move to cooperate on this issue reflected "a de facto recognition by the U.S. that India is a nuclear power."

However, "it is clear from the debate in India on this issue that it will not be a deputy sheriff to the United States."

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